Chapter 136
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Red Dragon Barbecue
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After the existence of the Red Dragon became known.
People's reactions were divided.
“Aren’t we all finished?”
“Idiot. If you have time to worry about that, go hunt!”
“It’s not like us getting involved would solve anything anyway.”
From the weak who lacked proper strength, praying for things to be resolved well,
“Are you going to join the dragon raid?”
“Are you crazy? Why would I go to something like that? At best, Honeybee and the others will just take all the rewards.”
to the strong, well-known players who were wary of the 'monopolization' of rewards.
But the world is vast, and it's only natural for there to be a plethora of people with different values.
While others thought only of the immediate situation, quite a few were thinking much further ahead, about the future.
“It's not something that will be solved by avoiding it.”
“Who knows? The dragon might just fly over to our region.”
In any case, a dragon had appeared, and since it was hostile to humans, it was something that had to be dealt with.
Pushing it onto others wouldn't solve the problem, and if they were going to fight, it would be safer to fight alongside strong individuals like Honeybee.
“This might be a good chance to put Honeybee in our debt, right? And if we can snag some rewards while we're at it, it's killing two birds with one stone.”
“The safest place has always been where the greatest military power lies.”
Just as good memories feel more precious during difficult times,
the majority of those who expressed their intent to join the raid were busy happily imagining the connections they could build with Honeybee. But that was only for a moment.
They came to a preliminary realization that their choice had been the right one.
“...With this, it looks like we'd be fine even if a decent enemy showed up.”
“Truly, this is incredible.”
Numerous skilled players from all over the world entered Russia with the support of a large-scale dimensional tunnel.
Upon their arrival, the first thing that greeted them was none other than layers upon layers of beeswax walls.
No, it was already a fortress, a massive castle.
* * * * *
The fortress of beeswax walls.
The surprise at what Honeybee had prepared didn't end there.
“...Monsters?”
“Incredible. Disaster-class monsters cooperating with humans.”
It was, in a way, natural for people from all over the world to express their astonishment upon encountering the monsters.
Disaster-class boss monsters.
With every one of them over level 50, how could their power be taken lightly?
From the High Elf to the Blue Antler Tribe and more.
Each of them was a high-difficulty monster that required skilled players to gather, make extensive preparations, and brace for sacrifices just to have a chance at success.
Unlike at the Apiary, Seong-hyeok had originally planned to reveal them to people of various nationalities in a public setting much later. But now, such worries had long since vanished.
If you were to ask why, the answer is simple.
‘The Red Dragon is proving helpful in times like these.’
A common enemy with absolute power.
Is there not a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend?
In a situation where the very survival of humanity was at stake.
There was no one foolish enough to discriminate against them or turn on them just because they were monsters.
Setting everything else aside, the fact that the one who had allied with these disaster-class monsters was 'Honeybee' was bound to have a significant influence.
Moreover, this aspect became a plus, not a minus, in the evaluation of Seong-hyeok.
“I'm Gwarousa from Pakistan. I've left comments from time to time, but it's an honor to see you in person.”
“I am Ninnin from Japan. I have come to repay a debt of gratitude.”
“Thank you so much for coming to help Europe in this situation.”
Honeybee's military power + the military power of four types of disaster-class monsters.
Was it because they knew the terror of this combined force?
Not just the players from the Asian server who already knew Honeybee.
But also the people from the European server, who were the Red Dragon's first targets.
The immense interest from people all over the world poured onto Seong-hyeok.
‘Time to get to work.’
Just as the bees' efforts in diligently building the beeswax walls stood out.
Seong-hyeok also had a job only he could do.
“No. You are all the more amazing for coming here, despite the risks to your lives.”
Seong-hyeok naturally praised them while taking out the honey products he had stored.
“It's not much, but I have a new product that hasn't been listed on the Exchange yet. Before it goes up on the Auction House, would any of you be interested in purchasing it?”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. I'm selling it to those present here first... So I hope you'll continue to be frequent customers?”
“Of course!”
A gathering of the world's top-ranked players.
No, they were practically Seong-hyeok's high-quality wallets.
* * * * *
Cultivating his clientele.
Honestly, the Exchange alone was more than enough, but Seong-hyeok was aiming for something else.
‘Not all honey products are created equal.’
The basic byproduct obtained from bees is 'honey,' but there are also beeswax, royal jelly, and more.
There is always a clear difference in class.
Add to that the processing by Seong-hyeok, the Honeybee Guardian, and the number of varieties instantly multiplies into the dozens, even hundreds.
Enhanced stamina and skin beautification were standard features, boasting permanent stat increases and exceptional effects.
All sorts of processed goods, packed with options anyone would covet.
A high-quality premium line, different from the mass-producible honey tea or honey wine.
Well, some of it was already in progress through the Auction House, but what Seong-hyeok was aiming for this time was a form of promotion through the world's top players.
‘There may be people who've never tried it, but no one tries it just once.’
An alluring charm that makes even those who would balk at the exorbitant price unable to forget the effects they've experienced, compelling them to buy again.
Besides, this wasn't Seong-hyeok's only gambit.
“Huh? I didn't buy this.”
“It's on the house. Don't refuse, just take it.”
A bonus from the processed goods that were piling up in his warehouse, even as he listed hundreds, even thousands, a day.
Just as the saying goes that no one dislikes free things, Seong-hyeok's generous mindset.
It might seem like he was taking a loss, but this much was hardly a major blow, and if it could capture the hearts of the world's players, it was a rather cheap price to pay.
In fact, looking at it long-term, it could be seen as an investment of sorts.
Bzzzz~
Bzzzzzzzzz~!
While Seong-hyeok was busy turning people into slaves of his sweet honey, one by one, a massive swarm of bees approached as if asking for praise, having completely finished fortifying the area.
He expressed his satisfaction with the sturdy beeswax castle walls protecting all directions and the beeswax turrets placed everywhere, but only for a moment.
Was it as if they had timed it perfectly?
[Monster detected!]
A single monster report came from the scout bees he had spread throughout Russia.
It went without saying, but Seong-hyeok knew what it was without needing to check.
[Due to the opponent's high level, most information cannot be displayed.]
[Red Dragon Porleirn Lv. 76 (★★★★★+)]
The creature that had devoured many players and monsters on the Russian server, and the fundamental reason that prompted Seong-hyeok to leave his home.
“...”
A monster that had reached level 76 by devouring countless lives.
Is this what it feels like to be naked prey before a predator?
Despite being far away, the immense pressure felt as if it were right in front of him.
He was on the verge of breaking into a cold sweat and trembling, but it was only for a fleeting moment.
The reason being...
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★-) has died.]
[Ruby Gem Scout Bee (★★★-) has died.]
[Ruby Gem Speedkito Legion Commander Bee (★★★★) has died.]
...
As if it had noticed the scouting, the creature unleashed its breath at the scout bees.
As a result, news of countless bee deaths reached Seong-hyeok's ears.
“This damn lizard bastard!”
It was none other than.
The mass death of his precious, precious bees.
With the Honeybee Guardian watching with wide, furious eyes, the Red Dragon's fate was as good as sealed.
“I will, without a doubt, turn you into a whole barbecue.”
Its destiny was now set: whole barbecue.
The creature had now lost any chance of a peaceful death.
* * * * *
The sacrifice of the scout bees.
But their deaths were by no means meaningless.
“Everyone, get ready! The Red Dragon is coming from the 11 o'clock direction!”
The creature's exact location, relayed to Seong-hyeok as a few more bees continued to die.
In response, Seong-hyeok gathered the people in one place and built up the beeswax walls in that direction, making them even sturdier and denser.
A few minutes of action passed like that.
After making the most of the short time available, the ground began to vibrate, and a hot wind swept through.
Kuooooooo-!!!
A giant reptile appeared with a ferocious roar.
“Hic!”
“Wh-What...”
Just facing it made their knees buckle and bodies stiffen, and panic spread among the gathered people.
“Th-That thing is about to shoot its breath!”
“M-My feet won't move!”
“Fuck! I didn't come here to die a dog's death!”
An eerie red flame began to gather at the corners of the Red Dragon's mouth.
Given its history of devouring countless lives on the Russian server, its power was proven without anyone needing to be hit by it.
However, just as the power of its breath was proven, so too was the strength of the beeswax walls.
Kwhaaaaaaak-!!!
The beeswax walls stood firm, enduring the creature's downpour of breath.
Due to the overwhelming firepower, they melted to the point of being practically unusable, but the important thing was that they had withstood one attack.
“Attack!”
“Counterattack!!!”
While the other players from around the world were trembling in fear, there were those who had calmly crouched and waited for their moment.
They were none other than Green Bean and the residents of the Apiary.
The World Tree, the Treasure Hunter, and others.
Having been trained against various elite and field boss monsters, they quickly regained their composure.
Their next actions were driven by instinct.
Boom- Boom- KABOOM-!
Shwoooooo-!!
A feast of attacks from the pre-prepared beeswax turrets and various other ranged assaults.
Furthermore, was it that the Apiary residents' performance had an effect on the others?
“D-Don't be scared, you bastards!”
“Let's show them the power of Europe!”
“All-out attack!”
The players from around the world shook off their stiffness and added their strength to the offensive.
“With this, we might actually be able to beat it.”
“The Red Dragon isn't such a big deal after all!”
Hope began to blossom among some amidst the thunderous barrage of attacks, but that thought was quickly extinguished.
“How dare you worthless worms! I'll burn you all to death!”
Woooong-!!!
Along with the roar, three holes appeared around Porleirn.
The flames of hell that poured out from them instantly leaped over the beeswax walls and descended upon the people.
“Gyaaaaaaah!”
“M-My body!!”
As expected of the one who collapsed the Russian server, its power was immense enough to kill even world rankers in an instant.
“How are we supposed to beat something like that!”
“What kind of bullshit balance is this!”
Their soaring morale plummeted as if doused with cold water.
If they could, they wanted to turn and run away right this instant.
But if it had been a hopeless fight, it wouldn't have started in the first place.
An element to reignite their cooled morale.
Gulp- Gulp-
[Using Guardian's Murion's Blue Antler Honey (★★★★★).]
[Using Guardian's World Tree Samcheong Seven-Colored Honey Wine (★★★★★+).]
[Using Guardian's World Tree Wild Ginseng Honey Preserve (★★★★+).]
[Using Guar...
“Today's main dish for the festival is red dragon barbecue.”
Yu Seong-hyeok, the strongest close-quarters beekeeper, who could be called the world's number one ranker without exaggeration.
And now, the time had come for the effects of the top-tier honey products to truly run wild.